Michael Annett out indefinitely with sternum injury

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR driver Michael Annett has a fracture and dislocation of his sternum that will require surgery. Aric Almirola will replace him in the Nationwide Series this weekend at Phoenix.

Annett was injured in a wreck during the Nationwide Series race Saturday at Daytona. He spent one night in the hospital, but was seen Tuesday by two different doctors in North Carolina who diagnosed the injury.

Annett will not be able to compete for an indefinite amount of time. Almirola will drive the No. 43 Pilot Flying J Ford, and Richard Petty Motorsports will evaluate its options moving forward.

Annett, a Des Moines native, was injured in an accident that stopped the race for nearly 20 minutes. It was before the last-lap accident in which debris from a car injured more than two dozen fans.